In China, objects made from lacquer—a seemingly humble material
produced from tree sap—were, in fact, highly prized luxury
goods. Carved lacquers such as this finely detailed tray, for example,
could require the application of hundreds of layers of lacquer,
and take over a year to complete.

The tray's motif of paired phoenixes, arranged in a circular configuration,
became a common theme under the Chinese Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
and in Ilkhanid Iran in a variety of media, including ceramics.

The opposed phoenixes in flight are set among flowers representing
each of the four seasons: